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Identifying Some Constraints In First Year Economics Teaching And Learning At A Typical South African University Of Technology

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  • Alex Van Der Merwe

Abstract

This paper examines possible determinants of economics 1 performance at the Riverside campus of the Durban Institute of Technology. The study finds that high school subjects taken, age and gender are not significantly associated with economics achievement. Learner motivation, however, does appear to be associated with economics performance. Specifically, learners may find it difficult to relate meaningfully to the discipline's real content at least partly as a consequence of the philosophical framework within which it is delivered and partly because they do not have the textbook. A well‐designed learner guide and workbook could go some way to demonstrating the relevance of economics and instilling in students more effective learning methods. The result could be a virtuous cycle of improved performance and greater learner motivation.

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  • Alex Van Der Merwe, 2006. "Identifying Some Constraints In First Year Economics Teaching And Learning At A Typical South African University Of Technology," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 74(1), pages 150-159, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:sajeco:v:74:y:2006:i:1:p:150-159
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1813-6982.2006.00055.x
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    1. Kudayja Parker, 2006. "The Effect Of Student Characteristics On Achievement In Introductory Microeconomics In South Africa," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 74(1), pages 137-149, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leonard C. Smith & Vimal Ranchhod, 2012. "Measuring The Impact Of Educational Interventions On The Academic Performance Of Academic Development Students In Second-Year Microeconomics," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 80(3), pages 431-448, September.
    2. Leonard C. Smith, 2009. "An Analysis Of The Impact Of Pedagogic Interventions In First‐Year Academic Development And Mainstream Courses In Microeconomics," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 77(1), pages 162-178, March.
    3. Richard Mussa, 2013. "Rural--urban differences in parental spending on children's primary education in Malawi," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(6), pages 789-811, December.
    4. Pm Horn & Ai Jansen, 2009. "An Investigation Into The Impact Of Tutorials On The Performance Of Economics Students," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 77(1), pages 179-189, March.
    5. Mario Scerri, 2008. "Neoclassical Theory And The Teaching Of Undergraduate Microeconomics," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 76(4), pages 749-764, December.
    6. Mussa, Richard, 2009. "Impact of fertility on objective and subjective poverty in Malawi," MPRA Paper 16089, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Justine Burns & Simon Halliday & Malcolm Keswell, 2012. "Gender and Risk Taking in the Classroom," SALDRU Working Papers 87, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    8. Charles Simkins, 2010. "Population growth, migration, economic growth and poverty in Gauteng since 1970," SALDRU Working Papers 47, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    9. Mussa, Richard, 2009. "Household economic status, schooling costs, and schooling bias against non-biological children in Malawi," MPRA Paper 15855, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 21 Jun 2009.
    10. Katherine Eyal & Ingrid Woolard, 2011. "Throwing the Book at the CSG," SALDRU Working Papers 53, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    11. Islam, Shahidul & Manaloor, Varghese, 2011. "Teaching introductory economics to students of different majors: Challenges and opportunities," MPRA Paper 107277, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2011.
    12. Stephen Graham Saunders, 2008. "Toward Bridging The Gap Between Theory And Empirical Reality," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 76(4), pages 738-748, December.
    13. Ingrid Woolard & Murray Leibbrandt, 2010. "The Evolution and Impact of Unconditional Cash Transfers in South Africa," SALDRU Working Papers 51, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.

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